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Analyst & GTAT investor claims all 5.5-inch iPhone 6 models get sapphire, some 4.7-inch models

sapphire

An investment note we’ve seen from analyst and GTAT investor Matt Margolis claims that all 5.5-inch models of the iPhone 6 will come with sapphire screens, while the 4.7-inch model will get either sapphire or Gorilla Glass depending on the specification.

According to sources close to Foxconn’s manufacturing operations the iPhone 6 will come built with sapphire cover screens in both sizes. These sources have also indicated that the 4.7” Phone 6 is being assembled in two varieties, a sapphire cover screen version and a version featuring Gorilla Glass. At this point I do not know the approximate mix between the two cover screen options on the 4.7” iPhone 6. My latest check on the 5.5” iPhone 6 indicates that all units of the device are expected to come protected by a sapphire cover screen at this point …

It should be noted that Margolis is on record as being heavily-invested in GTAT’s sapphire plant. He reported a week ago that Apple planned to expand production at the plant, citing a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce advising of the plans.

The WSJ had earlier reported that sapphire screens would be reserved for the more expensive “of the two new iPhones,” in line with a JP Morgan prediction.

The analyst also repeats earlier rumors that the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will go on sale in September, while both 5.5-inch model and iWatch won’t be available for purchase until October. Both models are, however, expected to be announced on 9th September.

The most recent alleged parts leaks appear to confirm that the new iPhones will be sold in a choice of three colors similar or identical to those of the iPhone 5s.

The latest reports suggest that the iWatch (which is pretty much guaranteed to have a sapphire screen) will be announced at the same time as the iPhone 6.

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Comments

  1. oreomuncher - 10 years ago

    oh god :(

  2. What about a 4.7inch “6c” which would use the Gorilla Glass screen, whilst the 4.7inch iPhone 6 will use the sapphire cover?

    • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

      Not a chance, if anything the larger capacity will get the sapphire.

      • PMZanetti - 10 years ago

        No, what he says makes a lot….(read: A LOT) more sense than say a 16 GB model getting gorilla glass and a 32 GB model getting Sapphire.

    • Tim Jr. - 10 years ago

      Likely correct. We’ll find out on the 9th

    • PMZanetti - 10 years ago

      That makes a lot of sense. Until now I was pretty certain that the $99 tier, “c” (colored plastic) device would be essentially a 5s with the 5c shell.

      But perhaps they’re ambitious enough to make a $99 6c with a 4.7″ gorilla glass screen, and plastic back.

  3. Tony C (@Muadibe10) - 10 years ago

    The day they go on sale is going to be crazy!

  4. rogifan - 10 years ago

    If we’re to believe this then that means Apple is expecting the 4.7″ model to be most popular. Of course at this point I don’t believe anything because every week there seems to be a new rumor that contradicts a previous rumor.

    • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

      I don’t see that it would be possible that the. 5.5″ would be more popular than 4.7″ it’s just nearly impossible to believe. I’m sure they expect the 4.7″ to sell considerably more.

    • Why would this mean Apple is expecting the 4.7-inch model to be more popular?

  5. Taste_of_Apple - 10 years ago

    This makes more sense than previous rumors suggesting they’ll have sapphire and non-sapphire versions of the iPhone 6. Keeps it simple and makes all the models more attractive to users looking for an awesome experience no matter which device they choose. Let’s hope this pans out.

  6. chrisl84 - 10 years ago

    iPhones mass appeal is the simplicity of knowing what youre buying. This could turn into a complete clustermess for the less tech savvy to understand. And the majority of phone buyers are not 9to5 readers they are the uninformed masses. Keep it simple stupid and keep the product line uniform.

  7. Okay… So the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6L will have Sapphire. And iPhone 6C will have the Gorilla Glass.

    • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

      iPhone 6C would mean they are going to use a plastic case on some of them. The C stood for color incase you didn’t realize that. iPhone 6C isn’t happening. At least not this time around.

  8. tmoore4075 - 10 years ago

    I’ll wait until they actually announce. Seems to be something contradicting another, every day. I believe they’ll both be announced together because it would be dumb not to but the glass things has gone back and forth from it’ll for sure have it, to not this year, to all of them again, to only the large one, to now only the expensive versions of both? We’ll know in 12 days.

    • “to now only the expensive versions of both?” You missed the point of the article. Lovejoy is reporting on Matt Margolis’s report that all 5.5-inch models will have sapphire. Which is in contrast to an earlier report by the WSJ and JPM that only more expensive versions of both models would have sapphire. Matt also stated he thinks the 5.5-inch model will come out in Oct. as opposed to most other analysts reporting Sept. You’re only as smart as who you listen to. Choose wisely which analyst you believe.

      • Sorry I misread when other analysts were expecting the 5-5 model to come out. Most analysts are reporting the 5.5-inch model to come out in Oct.

  9. Alex (@Metascover) - 10 years ago

    BS.
    Anyone who believes this is an idiot.

  10. craigkocher - 10 years ago

    I don’t buy this… Mainly because it’s just bad business to say “The 128gb 4.7 inch iPhone 6 will have a sapphire screen but the 32gb won’t”. Either put it in all units or none at all.

    These people who claim to be in the know on what is coming have been so all over the place I don’t believe any of them anymore.

    I really hope all units have this sapphire screen but if the 5.5 inch one only has it that’s fine. But don’t just put it on some 4.7 inch units. That’s just stupid.

  11. cjbatesy - 10 years ago

    I struggle to see Apple so clearly making a lower quality product. Apple has always been the company that only sells top quality products. For example, they do not give faster processors to higher end models. That would make me doubt them giving only some models a sapphire screen. I believe it’s all or nothing for the smaller screened iPhone. However, they did make a lower quality iPhone 5C, so who knows anymore…

  12. Overlord - 10 years ago

    Perhaps, iPhone 6 (4,7″ model) with 128 Gb will get sapphire screen.

  13. Bill Shamblin (@bshammy) - 10 years ago

    Makes sense, let’s Apple work through the cost curve while maintaining margins. Also, will provide a key selling point for the 6s if they choose to rollout sapphire to all models.

  14. Shethwala Tejas - 10 years ago

    I just love to see 5.5 gold iPhone in ma hand

    • Lars Pallesen - 10 years ago

      Oh yes, finally an iPhone for people with no taste! “Yeah baby, a big ass gold phablet in ma hand!”

      • jorge1170x - 10 years ago

        He but if Apple makes one, then who is the tasteless party? He/she is jut buying it from the company that developed it.

  15. Habip Kenan Üsküdar - 10 years ago

    Apple is planning to go the Samsung way?

    Even though its better than them releasing the 4.7″ variation without the Sapphire Glass and 5.5″ with the Sapphire Glass, putting out products with fancier names with considerably small variations between them is a bit worrying. The 7.9″ iPad Mini may have been a marketing win for Apple but its a purchase I’ve been regretting so far considering how it was lacklustre for productivity comparing it to my 9.7″ iPad (4th Gen).

    Even though I liked the full-sized iPad better, a phone housing 4.7″ inch screen pretty much is the size limit for my hands for one-hand use.

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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